Tuesday 4th July 2017 – After loosing the first leg of the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round with a score of 2-0 and following a 3-3 draw in the second leg at the Hibernians Stadium today, Balzan were eliminated with an aggregate score of 5-3 for Videoton FC .
Videoton therefore reach the second round of the competition where they will be facing either Nomme Kalju of Estonia of B36 Torshavn of the Faroe Islands.
Balzan FC started with the same line-up of the first leg when Balzan conceded two late goals for a 2-0 defeat at the Pancho Arena in Hungary. They started the game with Ivan Janjusevic in goal, Bruno Gilio De Oliveira and Elkin Serrano Milan Savic and Steve Bezzina in defence, Uros Ljubomirac, Paul Fenech and Ryan Fenech in midfield with Carlos Eduardo de Fiori Mendes k/a Cadu assisting the two strikers – Bojan Kaljevic and Alfred Effiong.
Balzan could not have a better start as they took the lead on the 3rd minute when off an assist by Cadu for Uros Ljubomirac, the latter served Bojan Kaljevic managed to beat goalkeeper Adam Kovacsik.
Videoton however levelled matters on the 15th minute when off a cross from the left by Loic Nego the ball reached Krisztian Geresi who tapped the ball home from close range.
Eight minutes later, Videoton doubled the score when Danko Lazovic sent Marko Scepovic through and the latter slotted past Janjusevic.Ivan
Danko Lazovic almost added another on the 28th minute when after having his first attempt blocked, from the rebound, he was unlucky to hit the crossbar with a header.
In the second half Balzan came out searching for the goal and twelve minutes in the second half, they manage to restored equilibrium thanks to Alfred Effiong who, from the edge of the area, managed to lob the ball over the goalkeeper Adam Kovacsik.
On the 76th minute, Paul Fenech came to the rescue as he cleared off the goal line a goal-bound header by Marko Scepovic.
Videoton regained the lead five minutes later thanks to Roland Juhasz who headed the ball home following a free kick by Danko Lazovic from the right.
However five minutes from time, Balzan were awarded a penalty after Alfred Effiong was brought down inside the area by Loic Nego and from the penalty spot, Bojan Kaljevic did not fail to convert.
BALZAN FC: Ivan Janjusevic, Ryan Fenech, Paul Fenech (84’ Jamie Zerafa), Steve Bezzina, Alfred Effiong, Uris Ljubomirac, Elkin Serrano, Carlos Eduardo de Fiori Mendes – Cadu (73’ Lydon Micallef), Milan Savic (72’ Alex da Paixao Alves ‘Lekao’), Bruno, Bojan Kaljevic.
VIDEOTON FC: Adam Kovacsik, Paulo Vinicius, Danko Lazovic (81’ Mirko Maric), Anel Hadzic (85’ Jozsef Varga), Loic Nego, Mate Patkai, Stopira, Roland Juhasz, Marko Scepovic, Krisztian Geresi (59’ Istvan Kovacs), Asmir Suljic.
Referee: Filip Glova (SVK)
Assistant Referees: Martin Balko, Peter Kovac (SVK)
Fourth Official: Mario Vlk (SVK)